An Endearing Dramedy

Film: Badhaai Ho

Date of Release in India: 18 Oct 2018

Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Neena Gupta, Surekha Sikri, Sanya Malhotra, Gajraj Rao, Sheeba Chaddha 

Writers: Akshat Ghildial, Shantanu Srivastava, Jyoti Kapoor

Director: Amit Sharma

Producers: Amit Sharma, Vinit Jain

Music: Tanishk Bagchi, Rochak Kohli, JAM8

My Rating: 4.5/5

I've been feasting on some excellent movies off late. The latest one I savoured was "Badhaai Ho", an engaging dramedy about a 20-something, middle-class guy who is appalled and embarrassed when he learns about his middle-aged parents' unplanned pregnancy! The first half of the movie is a laugh-riot and I just couldn't take my eyes off Ayushmann Khurrana (Nakul) - what an outstanding actor and what an endearing smile 😍❤️! 
The funny dialogues ensure plenty of ROFL moments in the film. However, some of the scenes in the first half are repetitive and the story could've been tauter. But the drama that unfolds post-interval makes this a must-watch movie. The emotional exchanges between the family members have been portrayed beautifully. The scene where the usually bickering mother-in-law (Surekha Sikri) stands up for her daughter-in-law (Neena Gupta), who was being cornered by relatives for her accidental pregnancy, is heart-warming. Sikri wins all with her inimitable style and Gupta's expressions make you emotional. You are sure to have some moist-eyed moments :). 
I enjoyed the non-verbal communication between the family members the most. Sanya Malhotra (Renee), Sheeba Chaddha (Renee's mother), Gajraj Rao (Nakul's father), and Shardul Rana (Nakul's younger brother) are fabulous! Kudos to the writers for the innovative screenplay. Subtly criticising social stigmas and knitting some progressive thoughts, wittily showing that passionate love has no age - director Amit Sharma's 'Badhaai Ho' is brilliant! Don't miss it!

A Gripping Murder Mystery

Film: Andhadhun

Date of Release in India: 5 October 2018

Cast: Tabu, Ayushmann Khurrana, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan

Writers: Sriram Raghavan, Hemanth Rao, Pooja Ladha Surti, Arijit Biswas, Yogesh Chandekar

Director: Sriram Raghavan

Producers: Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, Matchbox Pictures

Music: Amit Trivedi, Raftaar

My Rating: 4/5

'Andhadhun' is a gripping tale of a budding, visually-challenged pianist whose presence at the crime scene when a couple of murders are committed, makes this a unique suspense-thriller. The opening hooks you and the brilliant storytelling keeps you glued to your seat. The unpredictable characters surprise you throughout the movie, but they never seem out-of-character!

Ayushman Khurrana looks fabulous and delivers one of his finest performances 😍. Radhika Apte shines too. Anil Dhawan excels in his brief role as a yesteryear filmstar. The lottery-seller Marathi mausi's portrayal has a 'Bob Biswas-like' sinister thrill to it :). To top it all, the versatile Tabu stuns you with her delightfully devilish performance as Simi.

Though I loved the movie, I feel that the 10 minutes before the last scene were vague and hurried-up. But that doesn't take anything away from the remaining 2 hours of fast-paced action, thrill, and suspense. Brilliant dialogues, soulful piano recitals, a nostalgic piano tribute to Bollywood at the end of the movie - kudos to Sriram Raghavan for this edgy, unforgettable thriller.

The Diary of a Spoilt Brat ~ SANJU

Film: Sanju

Date of Release in India: 29 June 2018

Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, Manisha Koirala, Vicky Kaushal, Sonam Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Anushka Sharma

Writers: Abhijat Joshi, Raju Hirani

Director: Raju Hirani

Producers: Raju Hirani, Vidhu V Chopra

Music: AR Rahman and others

My Rating: 4.5/5

Sanjay Dutt's biopic "Sanju" is a well-made movie about the life of a direction-less rich boy who gets entangled in life-threatening vices and criminal liaisons. Ranbir Kapoor as Dutt is flawless! Vicky Kaushal as friend Kamlesh is phenomenal. Excellent storytelling, apt casting, brilliant screenplay, and outstanding acting by everyone. I loved the portrayal of the writer's character (Anushka Sharma) and the respect she commands! Controversial topics related to Dutt's family and love life have been avoided. The film focusses on Sanjay Dutt - the spoilt brat who wanted an ordinary life and couldn't handle the pressure of his dad's legacy. A must-watch movie, among Kapoor's finest. Kudos Raju Hirani, Abhijat Joshi and team.

P.S: Not recommended for kids.

A Splitting Headache - Race 3

Film: Race 3

Date of Release in India: 15 June 2018

Cast: Anil Kapoor, Salman Khan, Bobby Deol, Jacqueline Fernandes, Daisy Shah, Saqib Salem

Story, Screenplay: Shiraz Ahmed

Director: Remo D'Souza

Producers: Ramesh Taurani, Salma Khan

My Rating: 2/5

I love fight-back stories. So, when I learned that Bobby Deol is part of the 'Race 3' cast, I decided to watch the movie for him. I liked him in "Poster Boys" and was expecting this one to be a time-pass masala flick.

Well, I was WRONG! While Bobby looked great, the movie was an ordeal! 3 hours of torture with a tired-looking Salman Khan flying around like Superman and the rest of the crew behaving like overconfident dimwits who only fight for a living. Pathetic music ~ an overdose of Bhai's blessings there too! No screenplay... everyone double-crossing everyone for no reason. There is no mindless humour also!

All that the movie gives you is a headache to last this extended holiday weekend. After watching the fabulous "Raazi" and the beautiful "Haami", I had forgotten for a brief moment that they still make movies like "Race 3."

A journey through life

Book Review - Sia
Author - Prionka Ray
Date of Publication: 2013
Publisher: Leadstart Publishing
Amazon India link: https://amzn.to/2QD1nb5

I completed reading this book sometime back but 'Sia' is still on my mind. I don’t know if I loved ‘Sia’ more because of the author’s gripping writing style or because of the beautiful story at the core of the book that left me moist-eyed. 

As Sia meandered through life’s challenges - rediscovering herself with each experience, I travelled along with her. The narrative style got me hooked and I completed the book at one go. 

I was touched by the portrayal of Munni, Sia’s sister. Munni’s adolescent dreams, her zest for life, and her undaunted spirit have been beautifully depicted. Sia’s dilemmas, the clarity in her thoughts, her vulnerability as well as her strengths – make this a memorable book. 

The reader will not just identify with Sia – they will love her. I surely did. I look forward to the author’s next book. And yes, this book deserves to be made into a movie.

A refreshing, riveting read!

Book Review: Bastard Hearts

Author: Ambarish Ray
Publisher: Notion Press
Year of Publication: 2017
Amazon India link: https://amzn.to/2SY5nQj 

There are good books. Then there are great books. Ambarish Ray's first book ‘Bastard Hearts’ undoubtedly belongs to the ‘great books’ (Classic) category. I have not read anything THIS absorbing in a long time. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves reading.

I was intrigued by the title of the book. When I started reading it, half-expecting a love story, I was in for a surprise. The gripping prologue and the Goa setting pulled me in and the story that followed established just how appropriate the title was. Also, the designer has done a splendid job with the cover page.

The author succeeds in building an uncanny bond between the reader and the two key characters in the book through his compelling style of writing and brilliant storytelling. The reference to ‘ticker tape eyes’, quirky names like ‘ASAP’, and love for Harold Robbins are just a few examples that made visualizing the characters a fun experience. 

The twists make for a refreshing, riveting read. At some places, Ray’s writing reminded me of Kahlil Gibran and Albert Camus.

I am sure this book is going to win several accolades and awards. I look forward to reading more from the author. May be a spy thriller next?